Guild Wars 2's First Raid Launches Next Week

Guild Wars 2 has grown steadily since its launch in 2012 and, come next week, the popular MMORPG will receive its first ever raid, the Spirit Vale.

While Guild Wars 2 has become popular for putting its own spin on popular MMO tropes, one thing you can’t get away from is players’ desire to team up with a whole bunch of friends and fight giant monsters.

While plenty of party-focused events are already available in Guild Wars 2, the developers have finally decided to inject the game with a raid mission that will challenge larger groups of adventurers with solving puzzles, besting waves of mobs and, yes, pummeling insanely powerful baddies.

According to the official website, the Spirit Vale is the “initial wing of the first raid” being introduced in Guild Wars 2. MMOs and raids go hand-in-hand, with games like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV offering several similar challenges for larger groups of players. Heck, even Destiny has fan-favorite raids that require players to work together in order to overcome the greatest challenges in the game.

Arriving Nov. 17, the Spirit Vale will be available to all Guild Wars 2 players who are also rocking the Heart of Thorns content. Unlike most MMOs, though, raids in Guild Wars 2 are instanced, allowing up to 10 players to take advantage of the game’s action combat system to topple humongous foes.

According to the raid synopsis, you’re on the hunt for a Pact squad that has gone missing in the northern part of Maguuma. To find them, you’ll need to travel deep into a deadly forest crawling with enemies and dark magic.

An enhanced squad UI is being implemented with the first wing of this raid, allowing players to more easily group up and communicate. That’s good news, since it sounds like Guild Wars 2’s raid content will require coordination and cooperation if players want to succeed. That’ll also be handy when pooling your squad into the 50-player world vs. world events.

As you might expect out of a mission that claims to boast Guild War 2’s greatest challenges, you’ll also be getting some sweet loot for your bravery. Taking part in the Spirit Vale raid will earn you the components necessary to craft new legendary armor, along with an assortment of helpful gear, miniatures and new weapon skins you can’t find anywhere else.

It’s been a long time coming, but it sounds like Guild Wars 2 has all of the components necessary to craft an entertaining big group event. Get your friends together and get ready to find out for yourself when Spirit Vale launches on Nov. 17.